Michelin Commander II
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
I have no idea why all of these Commander II threads have multiple good posts from riders happy with these tires while I can't say the same. I have had the snot scared out of me taking a well known corner less than a mile from my house, at my normal speed, finding myself standing the bike up in the middle of the corner to avoid loosing it. Fortunately I had the grass yard of the church in that corner. How is it possible there are so many happy customers, can we have that much variation in these things? I can't wait to get these things off the bike and get the ride back to normal
Well, as you already acknowledged, that's a 180 from how most everyone else feels about them. I have no answers for you, but it is curious. Are you sure you didn't just hit some fall ice or something like that?
They're selling like hot cakes, and as others have noticed, Dunlop is even putting them down, which is quite a compliment for them to be singled by their competitor.
Last edited by mmancuso; Nov 8, 2012 at 11:08 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Actually the tires were replaced in April I guess and my worst experience was in July so no ice or frost, multiple slips on multiple surfaces over multiple rides. In 1 thread I noticed my tires are made in Thailand while others were made in Spain and thought that might be why my experience is so different.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 692
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Actually the tires were replaced in April I guess and my worst experience was in July so no ice or frost, multiple slips on multiple surfaces over multiple rides. In 1 thread I noticed my tires are made in Thailand while others were made in Spain and thought that might be why my experience is so different.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
I have the radials, and I have nothing but positive to say about these tires. Well, other than I thought they would last longer, but that may be the way I ride. Putting second set on tomorrow morning.
Maybe Low Pressure or Cleaner Residue
I have no idea why all of these Commander II threads have multiple good posts from riders happy with these tires while I can't say the same. I have had the snot scared out of me taking a well known corner less than a mile from my house, at my normal speed, finding myself standing the bike up in the middle of the corner to avoid loosing it. Fortunately I had the grass yard of the church in that corner. How is it possible there are so many happy customers, can we have that much variation in these things? I can't wait to get these things off the bike and get the ride back to normal
(You're not polishing them up with any kind of shiny cleaner, are you? Even a residue from not rinsing the tires thoroughly after a wash could make them slippery in turns.)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 116
From: Raleigh, NC
You haven't mentioned what tire pressure you're running. I'm starting to see a pattern--just like we found with the Metzeler ME880s-- that the riders who are not happy with the tires are keeping them at the HD recommended pressure or lower, not at the sidewall maximum. Some tires just don't perform well at lower tire pressures, but keep them at the maximum printed on the sidewall and they're phenomenal. Give 40-42 psi a try and see if they're any better.
(You're not polishing them up with any kind of shiny cleaner, are you? Even a residue from not rinsing the tires thoroughly after a wash could make them slippery in turns.)
(You're not polishing them up with any kind of shiny cleaner, are you? Even a residue from not rinsing the tires thoroughly after a wash could make them slippery in turns.)
Well, first I need to look at the sidewall.
Last edited by mmancuso; Nov 9, 2012 at 09:23 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 692
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Saw the post about tire pressure. I, too, have been running the factory-type 38 front/40 rear. Might bump mine up to 40 front, 42 rear, but I need to see what it says on the sidewall.
Up until the PA weather got colder in the past 3 weeks, under 38 or 40 degrees in the AM hrs...I had been running 42R and 40F psi in my MCII's. Mine are both bias. To me they look like new. I've got just about 5K on them. They look like I can get at least that much more if not even more out of them.
When it got colder I did lower the pressure to 38F and 40R. Front end felt very sharp/over sensative at the higher pressure I was using all Spring/Summer this year when the roads got alittle colder and the mornings got colder. Least that's what I felt. Now it seemed to settle down a bit with the lower pressures.
GOOD LUCK!
Great thread BTW...
When it got colder I did lower the pressure to 38F and 40R. Front end felt very sharp/over sensative at the higher pressure I was using all Spring/Summer this year when the roads got alittle colder and the mornings got colder. Least that's what I felt. Now it seemed to settle down a bit with the lower pressures.
GOOD LUCK!
Great thread BTW...
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You've given me an idea for longevity with my second set. I kept the front and rear at 40 on my first set. Think it might be a fine idea to up that to 42 with my second set. The long wearing tread part on these tires is the center, so 42 may be the answer!
Well, first I need to look at the sidewall.
Well, first I need to look at the sidewall.
If the sidewall says 42 psi, 40 should be close enough. Manufacturer reps tell us that anything within 10% of the maximum psi is fine. Lower than that and the internal temperature gets so high that the tires start to break down from the heat, which is why they wear out so fast when run with lower pressures.
